This is a humble record of flora/fauna encountered. It's hoped these words and media will: a) be a catalyst for folks to engage wildlife on whatever level b) inspire a Leopoldian land ethic c) get kids outside and d) provoke fun.

Dragonfly

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Scanning...the Skies and the Ground

The last half of May in western Montana is a time of cool/wet conditions. True to form, here's a video from our Lolo porch this morning:

So instead of going on a 'field trip', I've processed some photos and video from the past couple of days for your reading, viewing pleasure. Staying home sometimes has its advantages, found two first of year butterfly species from our yard: Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides) and Boisduval's Blue (Plebejus icarioides):

Purplish Copper

Boisduval's Blue

Looking at the ground yesterday, spied a Sticky Geranium (Geranium viscosissimum) in bloom in a small native plant patch along Marcure Road west of Missoula:

Sticky Geranium

Just east of Marcure Road is Loiselle Road, this gravel road was immediate to somewhat degraded native pasture...though sufficient for usage by a pair of Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni). Check out the following video of these birds in flight; compare with the excellent written description of flight found in the default reference material (Hawks in Flight [1988]by Dunne, Sibley and Sutton):

About Me

Have had a colorful working career; an ecletic mix of blue collar and professional positions: steel mill, automotive technician, aerosol valve manufacturer, lollipop machine assembler, busboy, janitor, paperboy, a variety of biological volunteer positions, and now federal employee. Live in the present while embracing the change of the exciting future.

Am blessed to have grown up in a terrific family and have met so many interesting and good people. Am happily married to a wonderful and supportive person. Practice an Oprah mantra regularly: grateful. Fortunate to have discovered my passions and live them.

I encourage you to look inside, ask some questions, discover who you are...then plot a course of action to make that you a reality.